Academy of Beasts XXXIII Read online

  Take it to mean whatever you like.

  So, I guess we were done… romantically. After torturing myself by stewing in misery until the wee hours of the morning, I got up. I made my way down the long hallway on wooden legs, past Theo's and Enrique's bedrooms. When I reached Dracus's wing, my heart started an unsteady rhythm.

  Palms sweaty, I wiped them on my shorts and lifted a hand to knock on Dracus's door. It swung open to reveal a surprised Dracus. "Fiona." He frowned. "It's three in the morning. Why aren't you sleeping?"

  "Couldn't sleep." He hadn't been asleep either. His eyes were as clear as day. No doubt he'd been up working because he was a workaholic.

  "What's wrong?"

  "I have a problem that I wish to discuss with the Core Council's leader, and I also have a request."

  Eyes widening a fraction, he asked, "And this couldn't wait until the sun comes up?"

  "No."

  He scratched his jaw and gazed at me as I'd gone crazy. "Okay…"

  "I lied earlier. I didn't mean to lie, I just didn't want to seem childish. Plus, I was on the verge of tears and I just gave you an answer because I didn't want to start crying while we were on duty. But now, I don't care if you see me cry." One tear slipped out and rolled down my cheek. I didn't bother to wipe it away. Since I wasn't on duty, I was free to be as emotional as I liked.

  Dracus's brows scrunched together. "Fiona, what are you talking about?" He sighed. "Please, don't cry―"

  "About that problem. I can't work with you closely. At least not yet. You see, I'm not like you. I can't just stop…" I almost said I couldn't stop loving him but caught myself just in time. "I can't just stop caring about you because we're not… together. I don't think calms are built to ignore emotions. So, it's hard for me to be professional and cold, like you are."

  He stood taller, his expression softening a little. "I never said I stopped caring about you. You're being dramatic."

  I smiled sadly. "I remember you saying at one time you like that about me. I guess that's changed." I shrugged. "It makes sense. Everything has changed between us, hasn't it? You hate me and I understand why."

  "Damn it! Stop saying that. I don't hate you."

  "Then why do you keep acting like you do?"

  He didn't answer. He didn't have to. I lied to him and defended the man whose hands literally had his brother's blood on them. There was no way to get him to see that Demetrius was innocent, and I couldn't be mad at him for that. If I thought someone was guilty of murdering my sibling, I wouldn't be in the headspace to accept his or her innocence either, especially without concrete proof.

  "I get it, Dracus," I sighed when the silence stretched for too long. "So, my request is, don't pair us together for anything else. I know I said I was mature enough to work with you, but I'm not. I'll partner with the other guys. I'll do anything you say. I won't even argue with you when you put me on the sideline for the Dante hunting missions. Just don't put us together. I'm begging you. My heart can't take it anymore."

  "Fiona―"

  "Please, Dracus. I hate asking for any kind of special treatment because I really want to be an equal member of the team. But, if you grant me this one request I won't ask you for anything else, I swear."

  His mouth opened and closed without a sound or word. Something warm slid down my cheek. It took me a second to realize it was another tear. This one I wiped away with an annoyed flick of my hand. Since he wouldn't answer and just gawked at me, I straightened my shoulders and nodded.

  "I'll take your silence as a yes. Thank you."

  Wheeling around, I scurried away. I could virtually feel his eyes boring holes into my back, but he still didn't say anything. Back in my room, I closed the door and leaned against it with a sigh. Eyes closed, I waited until my heartbeat steadied. Confronting Dracus, admitting that I could no longer work with him, was nerve-wracking, but I had to say something. The whole skirting around him, wondering when we'd resolve things, and ignoring my heartache every time we were alone together, was exhausting.

  Taking a deep breath, I opened my eyes. My startled gasp bounced off the walls, and my heart rate went right back to galloping. In the flowing white dress, I gawked at the woman, perched on my bed, smiling at me. Leia wasn't a wavering apparition. She was there in the flesh. She was real.

  FIN

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